I was excited to try the 361 Spire 5. Why? I actually helped as part of the testing team last year. So it was exciting to see the final product.
Many people don’t know a lot about the brand 361. They are a small business based out of California. My first experience was in New Jersey in 2016, meeting some of the owners, and they were great. And now I live only 100 miles from their HQ in Los Angeles.
361 Spire Quick Facts:
Weight: 8.2 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
Price: $160
361 Spire Introduction:
The 361 Spire 5 is a high-cushioned premium neutral shoe. If you are looking for something with a lot of cushion, it’s a great option.
361 Spire Fit:
I’ve had really good luck with the fit of 361, and they’ve fit true to size. If you have a wider foot, you’ll appreciate the seamless, breathable upper that doesn’t rub against your toes.
The upper mesh material is thicker than many competing brands. I was truthfully worried about this as I didn’t know how it would breathe in the desert. I don’t need any more excuses for overheating, especially with my feet. I was happy to discover the upper breaths well and the upper was never a problem.
I firmly believe the best-running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and the 361 upper does just that. I can’t say I’m a massive fan of the tongue, but it doesn’t cut my feet like competitors, so I can’t complain (I just like padded tongues better). The heel counter is plush. There aren’t any hot spots, and it fits well.
I typically wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide in running shoes. I found the size 10.5 in the 361 Spire 5 to fit well with no issues. It’s also wide available, but I didn’t even need that! In all the Spire 5 is a good, true to size, basic fitting upper and I haven’t had to worry about any hot spits.
361 Spire 5 Ride:
When I was testing out previous versions of the 361 Spire 5, the brand said it was going through a significant transformation, and it has. The Spire 5 has a PBA midsole which gives it a soft underfoot. It also makes it responsive. If you do want to pick up the pace. The top sole is thin and firm to help with the responsiveness.
In general, the 361 Spire 5 feels like a traditional daily trainer. It’s a daily running shoe with a lot of cushion. I appreciate it’s responsive enough that it doesn’t feel like mush under my feet.
Durability and Traction: I’ve found the 361 Spire 5 to have good durability and traction. I don’t have to worry about sliding around when running up dunes. To be fair, I’ve never had any issues with the traction of 361 shoes.
In previous 361 shoes, such as the 361 Kairos and 361 Meraki 4, I’ve gotten 400+ miles in the shoes, and I don’t anticipate the Spire 5 to be any different.
I wasn’t sure where the Spire 5 would fit into my rotation. Would it be my high-cushion daily trainer? Recovery run shoe? Faster run shoe? It’s a great shoe if you don’t know what kind of run you want for the day. It can handle recovery and easy runs, but if you decide to pick up the pace, it can do that too. It really is a shoe that can “do it all.” But if you are looking for a race and workout shoe, consider the 361 Flame.
361 Spire 5 Conclusion:
361 claims the Spire 5 has gone through a significant transformation, and it has. It’s a lot more fluid, and it feels like it can handle a lot more types of training. It’s quickly become one of my favorite daily trainers this winter. If you are looking for a traditional daily trainer, it’s a great option.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: New Balance 1080v12 , Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo, Saucony Triumph 19, Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra, 361 Spire 5
Speed Work: Hoka Solimar, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Long Runs: Saucony Freedom 4, Hoka Clifton Edge,
Trail Running/Hiking: Brooks Caldera 6, Saucony Peregrine 12, Hoka Torrent 2, Hoka Zinal Shoe, Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the 361 Spire 5?
What is your favorite running shoe?